Former AFL star Glenn Archer has admitted careless driving after knocking down a cyclist while overtaking him on a suburban Melbourne road.
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The former North Melbourne captain and premiership player was driving a truck and towing a trailer and excavator when he overtook the cyclist on Rosanna Road in Heidelberg on January 11.
When traffic in front of him built up, Archer merged back into the left lane of the dual lane road but hadn't yet cleared the cyclist's path.
The man was knocked off his bike onto the kerb, and his bike became tangled in the trailer's wheel arch.
The incident was captured on dashcam footage by another driver, and included branding for Archer's tree lopping company.
Paramedics took the cyclist to hospital where he was treated for three broken ribs, swelling to one knee, neck pain and grazing over his body.
Archer pleaded guilty in Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Thursday to a charge of careless driving.
The victim, who was in court, said he had to have bolts and six plates installed to treat a critical neck injury.
He suffers constant headaches and flashbacks and said his life will never be the same again.
The man had to cancel a family trip to Europe and said his life now consists of surgery and rehabilitation multiple times a day.
Archer did not stop at the scene and when contacted by police said he had "absolutely zero idea" that he had hit someone.
"If I knew I hit someone, I'm definitely stopping," he said.
After watching footage of the collision he admitted his driving could definitely be considered careless.
Archer's lawyer told the court his client is on the road all day every day as the owner of his tree lopping business.
He apologised to the cyclist through his lawyer, having been discouraged by police from reaching out personally.
Archer was convicted and fined $1500. The offence carries a maximum penalty of $2200.
"It has had a considerable impact on the victim, albeit that it may have been unintentional," Magistrate Timothy Hoare said.
Archer kicked 143 goals in 311 games for the Kangaroos, between 1992 and 2007.
His son Jackson followed in his footsteps, joining the club last year.
Australian Associated Press
